Thanks again to Lord Pata for reviewing and giving me motivation to keep writing! I expect fast updates (Maybe a chapter or two daily? D) because of summer break, so ill hopefully finish this fic soon . . (Disclaimer on first chapter) I hope I can get lots done today! Enjoy!
Angemon and TK rode on for a few hours, and they finally arrived at another castle. It seemed as if it were carved out of diamonds and crystals, a glow surrounding it, just like the glow from the box that he and Angewomon saw before he woke up in a different place. They approached a high wall made of stone, with one arch as the only entrance.
"Welcome to the Palace of Eternal Light, your highness." TK announced as they passed under an archway with two angel crystal pillars on the sides. On the other side a beautiful garden lay, with fountains in ponds bordered by many different exotic flowers and trees.
Angemon and TK dismounted at the entrance of the castle, with the same archway designed with large bolted doors. All the knights left for the stables to rest their horses, taking Angemon and TK's with them.
"Uh... TK?" Angemon muttered as they walked down the red-carpeted hallway. Large windows at intervals on one side was enough to illuminate the hall, along with the castle's mysterious glow. "Do I know the princess?"
"Your majesty, you were so very close to asking for her hand in marriage, but then war interfered." TK answered.
"So I loved her?" Angemon said as they neared a grand door. The symbol of Light was engraved on it and embellished with gold-leaf. He thought of only one other person who he could love, not a stranger he's never even met in his life. Well, at least in this life. "So, I'm supposed to love her again like before? What if I don't?"
"It's your loss, and the kingdom's." TK replied, pushing open the wooden door. Angemon was the last one there. At a short oak table for 4, two other crowned heads sat, looking at him and whispering to each other. One had the sign of courage on his crown, and had dark blue hair and a very small and pointy nose. He had light brown eyes, almost red, and he looked at Angemon smugly. The other one had the sign of miracles on his crown, with long blonde-creamy hair which fell past his shoulders like ears. He had small, black beady eyes, and a small nose to complement it – a tad too much turned up.
Angemon was led by TK to the left of the Prince of Miracles and opposite of the Prince of Courage.
"My name's Angemon – who are you guys?" Angemon greeted, holding out his hand to the smug one first.
The prince of Courage looked at him and nodded, muttering his name.
"Prince Exveemon." Angemon ignored the fact that his name was just like Davis' partner, and dismissed it as mere coincidence. At that instant he converted his beliefs that there is such a thing as parallel universes.
The one with floppy hair raised his eyebrow and looked at the Exveemon. Then he looked at Angemon and shook Angemon's still-open hand.
"Pleasure to meet you. I'm Prince Gargomon." He said, then he whispered to Angemon. "Don't worry about Exveemon, he's just jealous of you being with the Princess. He could be your competition. Not me ... She hates me. I have no interest in her anyway."
"Princess?" Kari asked Angewomon who was dressed in her darkest and ugliest gown. She let her long blonde hair partially cover her face, much to Kari's disapproval. She did not want to see the Princes. She was studying herself in the mirror. Maybe a few more dark jewels around my wrist. She thought.
"Princess." Kari said more loudly and firmly.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Kari! I'm just not used to being called that. Just call me Angewomon."
"Apology accepted. But it is a law amongst all the palace staff to call you by your title at all times. The Princes are all there, waiting for you in the meeting room." Kari said as they walked quickly past many other doors with the same Light symbol. They reached a door with guards standing beside it. "Good luck." Kari said as she pushed Angewomon through the opened doors.
Three men sat at a small table. She sat on the head chair promptly, while they were still bowing, and looked at all three as they sat. They were nervous, fumbling with their clothes and hair. Except for the one on the right. He looked shocked, in a familiar-shocked way.
"What do you all want?" She asked stubbornly and threateningly. All three were taken aback. A short old man then walked in. He looked like Gennai from the Digital World, but his hair was grey, and his robes all black. He stood beside Angewomon.
"Your grace, these are the Princes of Courage, Miracles and Hope, and we all came to discuss about your marriage to one of them."
Angewomon looked at all three of the Princes again.
"So I'm supposed to marry one of them?"
"Indeed, and I, Gene, will be your advisor."
"And at this point, who is it?"
"Him." Gene pointed to the prince with the sign of Courage. Exveemon smiled.
"Okay, thanks, bye." Angewomon got up out of her chair.
"Wait!" The man pushed her back down on the seat. "We will do a series of tournaments or competitions and you and I can come up with the proper Prince who you will continue to court."
"Fine." Angewomon stood still, and crossed her arms.
"Over a period of three days, you would probably be able to find him. You will spend one day observing or being with on prince each day." Gene continued. "In order, it will be the Prince of Miracles, then the Prince of Courage and on the third day, Prince of Hope."
"When does all this start?" Angewomon asked.
"First thing tomorrow. I'll wake you up at sunrise. Good-day, your highness." Gene said, then he bowed to the princess and princes and left the room. The princes stood and bowed, and she curtsied, and nearly tripped over her dress as she walked quickly out of the room.
Angemon was confused. The princess, she looked awfully familiar. She even had wings like him! But of course, they were folded down. Prince Exveemon left the table without another word and disappeared, while Prince Gargomon stayed behind.
"Good luck with her tomorrow, Prince Gargomon." Angemon shook his hand again in farewell.
"Thanks, and call me Gary. It sounds better than Gargomon. I think I'll call myself that now." 'Gary' waved and walked out. Then Angemon heard a chuckle.
"Yeah, call me Prince Evan. Maybe she would like me better that way." Prince Exveemon said mocking Prince Gargomon. He also left the room, overflowing with confidence at the recommendation of Gene.
Maybe I should change my name. Angemon thought. I'll be Prince Andrew. Then Angemon walked out and rode to his home to await his turn to meet the princess.
A/N: The name changing thing is essential! If you are bothered by it, here is some advice: LOVE the name, FEEL the name, BE the name. For crying out loud! Just LIVE with it! LOL just kiddings! - This is my longest chapter yet! I hope my story is sort of interesting? Please review! Thanks!
-Kumiko
